steps down as Governor.

"I will definitely push Bermuda's cause,'' he said on the eve of his last Throne Speech today.

Lord Waddington said he would fight the Island's corner as a member of Britain's Bermuda Society and the House of Lords.

"I will consider it part of my job to be an advocate for Bermuda and support Bermuda whenever I can,'' he said. "I think there are always issues where I could be of help, where it might be thought Britain can exercise influence on Bermuda's behalf.

"Right now there is the issue of asbestos and in the past there have been such matters as the tax treaty with America.'' Lord Waddington also told The Royal Gazette he would be leaving Bermuda confident the Island was coming to grips with a major evil -- crime.

And he believed his controversial appointment of Police Commissioner Colin Coxall had been fully justified.

"There have been real achievements by the Police in the last year or so.

Credit should go to all the officers for what has been a success story.'' He added Bermuda still had some way to go in tackling the drug problem.

Sixty-seven-year-old Lord Waddington, who leaves in April 1997 after five years in the post, said today's Throne Speech would contain a few personal comments about his time in Bermuda.

Lord Waddington, a father-of-five, said he would be returning to his Lancashire roots in England with mixed feelings.

"Now the die has been cast I want to get on with my life, rather than remain here in paradise, however tempting that might be. I feel too young to retire just yet and, quite honestly, I don't have the wherewithal to retire here.

"Plus I always feel guilty if a family crisis comes up and I'm not there to help with it.

"My wife and I have four grandchildren, and another one on the way. We're looking forward to getting home to seeing them grow up.'' Lord Waddington, a former UK Home Secretary, said he had fallen out of touch with Britain's political scene -- because he had become so wrapped up with Bermudian affairs.

"I don't listen much to the BBC World Service or read the British papers much because, quite honestly, I'm so preoccupied with what's going on here.

Waddington's future "The Governor still has a few reserve powers and still has to take an interest in internal security and external affairs. There are also a whole series of appointments.

"It has been a fluke of fortune, but most of the jobs where I have to use my power of appointment have become vacant -- including the Chief Justice, Court of Appeal president, the Attorney General and the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner.'' Some of the appointments have plunged Lord Waddington into controversy, notably those of Mr. Coxall and Deputy Police Commissioner Michael Mylod.

The Opposition Progressive Labour Party championed the cause of former Assistant Commissioner Wayne Perinchief, saying he should have filled the post. Last month a judge ruled Mr. Perinchief had been made unlawfully redundant from the Police.

Have the controversies upset him? "Good gracious no. One of the things about being in politics is that you develop a thick skin.

"There is no use in getting over-sensitive, although I am aware of the criticism. I feel the decision to appoint the Commissioner has now been justified.'' Lord Waddington was confident Bermuda had a very good future, with or without Independence.

"Bermuda has maintained its own identity. There is something very, very special about being a small Island close to one of the great financial centres of the world in America, with a near perfect climate, and sophisticated support services.

"It is a lovely place to live and work and Bermuda ought to be able to continue as a very successful country. There is no reason why it shouldn't.'' Lord Waddington saw huge advantages for Bermuda in the US military pull-out.

"It has brought enormous opportunities. It's very difficult to think of another country which has received such a large extension of land space.'' As for his own future, Lord Waddington said: "I intend to remain active, although not necessarily politically active. I've had no particular job offers, but I'm confident something will turn up.''